20,000 P.M.F. Fighters Will Participate in Tal Afar Operation, Says Spokesman
The Iraqi Popular Mobilization Force (P.M.F.) will deploy 20,000 fighters to participate in the upcoming ground operation to liberate the city of Tal Afar from the Islamic State, P.M.F. Spokesman Ahmed al-Assadi revealed today. In an interview with Lebanon’s al-Mayadeen TV channel, Assadi said Haider al-Abadi, the prime minister and commander-in-chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, will announce the start date for the operation.
Pro-Assad Forces and Hezbollah Launching Operation along Syrian-Lebanese Border
The Syrian pro-government forces and the Lebanese Hezbollah are set to launch a joint operation along the Syrian-Lebanese shared border against Islamic State militants, Fars News Agency reported on Friday. Quoting unnamed sources from Syria, Fars, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (I.R.G.C.), added that the Syrian government has sent a large military contingent of the Syrian Army forces and the National Defense Forces personnel to the western part of the Qalamoun Mountains to support the upcoming operation near Lebanon’s border.
Rouhani’s Defense Pick: I’ll Support Quds Force and Resistance to Counter U.S.
President Hassan Rouhani’s nominee for the post of defense minister told the Iranian Parliament today that he will support the country’s elite Quds Force commander to counter U.S. policies and actions that undermine Iran’s regional interests. “You passed a legislation to counter U.S. sanctions,” Brigadier General Amir Hatami said on Thursday while outlining his plans for the ministry. “No doubt, support for the resistance front, which is the Quds Force and my brother Major General [Qassem] Soleimani, will continue in this regard.
U.S. Mobilizing Rebels in Syria’s Northeast to Capture Deir Ezzor, I.R.G.C. Outlet Warns
The U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq is planning on establishing a “ground force” composed of Syrian rebels led by Ahmad al-Jarba, the leader of al-Qad Movement, to “occupy” eastern Syria, warns Fars News Agency, an Iranian outlet affiliated with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (I.R.G.C.).
Iran’s Judiciary Chief Calls for Setting up Special Courts to File Lawsuits against U.S.
Iran’s Judiciary Chief Sadegh Larijani has called for the creation of special courts where individuals and government officials can file lawsuits against U.S. sanctions and “adventurous moves” in the region, the Iranian media reported. Speaking to Judiciary officials in Tehran, Larijani praised the Iranian Parliament for passing a bill to counter U.S. actions in the region in response to the latest U.S. sanctions on Iranian entities involved in the country’s missile program and support for terrorism.
Diplomatic Moves Signal Possible De-escalation of Regional Conflicts
Do a series of recent diplomatic moves by Saudi Arabia signal an opportunity for de-escalation of regional conflicts in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen? MEI scholars Gerald Feierstein, Randa Slim, and Charles Lister join Paul Salem to discuss the dynamics playing out between Riyadh and Tehran as the war against ISIS enters its final phase.
Iran and Turkey Discuss Ways to Cooperate in Syria and Iraq
On Wednesday, the chief of the Iranian Armed Forces met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli in Ankara to discuss ways
Rouhani to Trump: Iran Could Restart Nuclear Program within Hours
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned that Tehran would restart the country’s nuclear program within hours if the U.S. government imposes additional sanctions on the Islamic Republic, the Iranian media reported. “America’s new statesmen should know that the failed experience of sanction and coercion brought their previous administrations to the negotiating table.
Iran Creates 10 Rapid Reaction Brigades to Fight Terrorism at Home
Iran has set up 10 new rapid reaction brigades and plans to create more units to bolster its counterterrorism efforts, President Hassan Rouhani’s defense minister nominee has told the country’s parliament. Introducing his plans for the Defense Ministry, Brigadier General Amir Hatami added that five of the new brigades have been established within the country’s Artesh (regular army), whereas the remainder consisted Islamic Revolution Guards Force (I.R.G.C.) Ground Force units.
I.R.G.C. Rejects U.S. Claim of Unsafe Drone Flight, Says Drone Mission Will Continue in Gulf
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (I.R.G.C.) rejected U.S. claim that an Iranian drone came dangerously close to a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, and stressed that it will continue its “routine” air patrol in the region despite U.S. warnings.
Iran Navy to Unveil New Vessels and Dispatch Fleets to Atlantic Ocean
The commander of the Iranian Navy announced today that the country will unveil new home-made vessels and a missile launching warship, Fars News Agency reported. “New equipment, including surface and subsurface vessels units, and other equipment made in the country will be unveiled in the Northern and Southern parts (waters) of the country,” Rear Admiral Sayyari said, addressing a ceremony in the Northern port city of Bandar Anzali.
Monday Briefing | Is the Middle East Tilting toward De-Escalation?
In this week’s Monday Briefing, MEI experts Paul Salem, Gonul Tol, Alex Vatanka, and Jonathan M. Winer provide analysis on recent and upcoming events including Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic engagements in the region, Turkey’s consideration of military operations in northern Syria, Iranian President Rouhani’s centrist cabinet nominations, and Libyan leaders’ decision between greater cooperation or renewed confrontation.
Tehran Sees Saudi Outreach to Iraqi Shiites as "New Project" to Roll Back Iran's Regional Influence
Iranian media outlets, analysts and politicians warn that Saudi Arabia and its regional allies are cultivating close ties with Muqtada al-Sadr and other Iraqi Shiite clerics and political leaders to roll back Iran’s influence in post-Islamic State Iraq and the broader region. While some suggest that Riyadh’s outreach to Iraqi Shiites is part of the kingdom’s efforts to defuse tension with Tehran, others see it as a plot to isolate Iran. At the center of this debate is al-Sadr, who recently visited Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and is scheduled to travel to Egypt soon.
